Sixty Years Ago This Week – 1958 Indiana Central College President I. Lynd Esch was the guest speaker for Bluff Avenue School’s PTA meeting. * * *St. Roch’s Altar Society was hosting demonstrations on how to use electric cookers and other small appliances. * * *The Perry Township Fire Department made 11 runs during a 20-hour period. Most of the fires were caused by careless citizens who lit trash burners on a windy day and left them unattended.* * *Indianapolis Public Schools was studying the development of four-diploma plan. Those intending to enter college would select the academic course; those not sure of their college plans would choose a general academic course. Others would opt for a practical arts or vocational curricula.

Fifty Years Ago This Week – 1968Three TV dinners cost $1, as did 50 pounds of potatoes. Cottage cheese was 39 cents for a 2-pound carton, and a quart of chocolate milk cost 19 cents.* * *Roseann French, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Richard French, and John Silnes, son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Silnes, were married at St. Patrick Catholic Church.* * *Lois Anne Cowles was appointed to the research department of the Community Service Council of Metropolitan Indianapolis. A graduate of Southport High School and Indiana University, she was married to Robert H. Cowles.

Forty Years Ago This Week – 1978Walter Koon, Marjorie Koons, Steve Palmore and Jim Cecil were promoted to officers of National Bank of Greenwood.* * *Dr. Lawrence Borst, a veterinarian and a state senator, was named president elect of the Indiana Veterinary Medical Association.* * *Located near Southport High School, a large tri-level home with three bedrooms, a family room, a recreational room and a fenced backyard was listed for $43,900.

Thirty Years Ago This Week – 1988The Spotlight newspaper was celebrating its 50th anniversary.* * *Roncalli wrestlers Matt Hickey and Judd Lawrie advanced to the state finals. Hickey, a 103-pounder, was sporting a 36-4 record. Lawrie was a 145-pounder who had a 36-5 record.* * *Mr. and Mrs. Jack N. Bussell celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary with a family reception.* * *Used shoes cost $1 a pair at Ruby’s Place, 1054 Virginia Ave.* * *Twenty Years Ago This Week – 1998University of Indianapolis President G. Benjamin Lantz Jr. announced that he was stepping down at the end of the spring semester. He was retiring amidst the school’s most expansive growth period in its 96-year history. * * *Patrick Trulock, son of Steve and Jan Trulock and an eighth-grader at St. Barnabas Catholic School, served as a page for state Sen. Richard Young during a session of the Indiana General Assembly. Patrick performed various clerical duties and was taken on a tour of the Statehouse.* * *Roncalli named Angie Buergler and Marissa Wagner as its valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively. Their GPAs were not mentioned, but the story indicated that both young ladies excelled in and outside of the classroom.* * *Herb Hohlt rolled a 300 game while competing in a seniors league at Sport Bowl, 3900 S. East St. Hohlt, who had been bowling for nearly 60 years and once rolled a 298, said he didn’t get nervous until the 10th frame.

Forty Years Ago This Week – 1978Junior Achievement was hosting its annual trade fair, in which the Southside booth was being manned by Gary Henthorne, Sandy Johnson, Greg Alderson, Stephanie Gunning and Andy Laker. * * *Editor George P. Cafouros wrote a letter to all aspiring politicians, telling them that he was not going to clutter up his newspaper with why they should be elected. “There is no pressure the politicians can put on this editor to forcibly print their announcements,” he said, noting ad space could be purchased for this cause. “All copy received is C.W.C – cash with copy.” * * *Bonnie Erickson, an agent with A.O. Diaz & Co. Realtors, was named the company’s top sales associate for 1977. She was a graduate of Greenwood High School and had one son, Jimmy.* * *Suzanne Koester, the 10-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Koester, was crowned Miss Marion County Majorette. Thirty Years Ago This Week – 1988Perry Township teachers and their school board were miles apart in their contract negotiations. While there was no work stoppage, teachers at Perry Meridian and Southport high schools refused to participate in after-school volunteer activities, and it was reported that Perry Meridian educators refused to grade papers after regular school hours. The starting salary for a teacher was $17,700; the board was willing to up that to $18,100.* * *Bicyclists Jim Harvey and Rob Harvey, members of the One-Way Freestyle Team sponsored by Cycle Enterprises, 1105 E. Thompson Road, were going to perform at the International Sport & Boat Show at the RCA Dome.* * *Southport High School was presenting the comedy “Blithe Spirit, which starred Ted Stumpf. Other roles were played by Slaone-Marchieal Howard, Shellie Miller, Brendan Starkey, Mark Heeringa, Johanna Philhower, Mandy Potter, Ted Stumpf and Angie Wright.* * *Manual High School raised more than $4,000 for its boys and girls athletic departments during a chili dinner and an auction, which was conducted by Mike Heimel.Twenty Years Ago This Week – 1998Members of the Indianapolis Police Department’s dive team searched the icy pond at Crookside South Apartments for a weapon allegedly thrown into it by a crime suspect. * * *Southport High School’s varsity basketball players read to more than 320 elementary students through a program launched by coach Bill Springer. The players were Howard Bellamy, Jake Deer, Ben Eickstead, Nathan Epple, Loren Hamm, Chris Huffman, Osiris Lands, Ryan Lasley, Mark McMahon, Ben Paswater, Craig Skidmore, Brent Strong. * * *Tanner Morgan from Lincoln Elementary School took first-place honors and won a $500 savings bond in the Indianapolis Police Department’s Healthy Reasons to Say No to Drugs poster contest. Christina Nord, his classmate, finished third and won a $200 savings bond. Honorable mention went to Melinda McAllister, Beth Amos and Corey Dyson.* * *A sweetheart meal for two cost $44.95 at the Fireside South Restaurant, 522 E. Raymond St., where couples could choose between a filet mignon or a rib eye dinner. * * *Roncalli running back Sean Schembra, son of Larry and Kathy Schembra and who rushed for more than 1,800 yards as a senior, signed a letter of intent to play football at Ball State. Offensive/defensive lineman David Armbruster, son of Stephen and Patty Armbruster, signed with the University of Indianapolis.

Sixty Years Ago This Week – 1958 Dick Weber, a nationally known bowler, was going to host a free clinic at Sport Bowl, 3900 S. East St. * * *The Mothers Club of Fletcher Place Community Center, 410 S. College Ave., was hosting a valentine party for 11- to 14-year-old girls.* * *Butler University students Tom McAndrews, Judith Coffey and William French worked on the school’s newspaper, “The Collegian.”* * *Free sewing lessons were offered at Indianapolis Public Schools 72 and 75.* * *The Nine Star Tavern, 2101 S. East St., advertised that it served premium draught beer in frosted glasses and steak, chicken and catfish dinners. Fifty Years Ago This Week – 1968The Madison Avenue Flower Shop, 2457 Madison Ave., was going to open a store in Greenwood.* * *Southport High School senior Phil Borst won the local American Legion speech contest to qualify for the district competition. “It’s the first time I’ve won anything like this,” he said. “It’s a great honor, and I guess I was real lucky.”* * *Martha Jane Staab, daughter of Mrs. Herbert F. Staab, graduated from Braniff International’s flight hostess college in Dallas.* * *Customers who purchased 10 gallons of gas at the Standard station at 3750 Madison Ave. were treated to a free car wash.* * *Philip G. Cravens, George F. Kuntz Jr., Matthew A. Iaria Jr., Michael C. Law and Gerald E. Wallman were serving in the armed forces.

Forty Years Ago This Week – 1978This issue is missing from the archives.

Thirty Years Ago This Week – 1988Manual High School named Bill Green as its Athletic Alumnus of the Year. Green had won six Indiana high school basketball championships, one with Washington and five with Marion.* * *IUPUI sophomore Joanne T. Warner, daughter of Gail M. Plater and graduate of Perry Meridian, received the $1,000 Challenger Scholar Award, which was named in honor of the seven astronauts who died in the 1986 Challenger explosion. * * *Coached by Joe Walsh, Dan Hammerschmitt and Eric Goss, St. Barnabas’ fifth- and sixth-grade basketball team won the Catholic Youth Association city tourney. The squad featured David Lauck, Brent Carver, Chris, Goss, Jason Jaffe, Kirk Hesig, Andy Rolph, Mike Walsh, Jim Cissel and John Dimmock.* * *Roncalli’s girls basketball team was 18-1 heading into sectional play. Wrestlers Matt Hickey (103 pounds), Howie Cottey (112), Donnie Nevitt (119), Judd Lawrie (145) and Gary Ladd (heavyweight) advanced to regional competition.* * *Twenty Years Ago This Week – 1998Purdue University senior Jeremy Ross Garritano, son of Janet L. Garritano and a graduate of Perry Meridian, was awarded a scholarship from the American Cyanamid Co. * * *Tuesday’s dinner menu at the Heritage House smorgasbord, 4990 S. East St., featured fried shrimp, roast beef, ham, fried and baked chicken, fish, chicken livers, macaroni and cheese, potato wedges, tomato soup, an assortment of vegetables, salads and desserts.* * *Grocery specials at the Save•A•Lot Food Store at 3819 S. East St. included boneless chicken breasts for $1.67 a pound; pork steak, 97 cents a pound; 10.8-ounce Totino’s pizzas, 99 cents; a gallon of orange juice, $1.99; and 20 pounds of potatoes, $2.49.* * *Bill and Andrea Miller, both previously divorced, were using their life experiences to develop two successful divorce recovery ministries at Emmanuel Baptist Church.* * *Citing contaminated wells in the Richmond Addition, an ordinance before the City-County Council would require the Indianapolis Water Co. to extend its mains to the area, which was bounded by Troy and Sumner avenues to the north and south, respectively, and Harding and Division streets to west and east.

Sixty Years Ago This Week – 1958 Dr. I. Lynd Esh, president of Indiana Central College, addressed the PTA of Perry Junior High School. * * *Butler University students Evelyln L. Carpenter, Donald L. Lindemann, Richard E. Carter and James R. Stainbrook were named to “Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities.”* * *Zuckerburg’s clothing and shoe shop, 1001 S. Meridian St., and Gus Kasper Furniture & Appliance Store, 1062 Virginia Ave., were undergoing huge remodeling projects.* * *A Spudnut Shop opened at 3955 S. East St. A spudnut was a pastry made out of potato flour. Fifty Years Ago This Week – 1968Cathedral High School seniors Joseph Daly, John Dreyer, Timothy Hewitt, Steven Jardina, Davis Kirch, Michael Mascari, Thomas McKean, Michael McShane and John Plummer, all Southsiders, were candidates in the State Commission Scholarship Program.* * *Fidelity Rebekah Lodge 227 was located at the corner of Olive Street and College streets .* * *Frank Hunter, superintendent of Perry Township Schools, announced that Bluff Ave School was closing, 555 W. Hanna Ave.* * *Recommended TV, 5500 Madison Ave., was celebrating its 20th anniversary with an expansion of its building. The company was started in the basement of Joe Ake’s home and was owned by him and Paul Somers.* * *Southport High School’s Exercise in Knowledge team featured Sue Thompson, Chad McDaniel, Ross Patronsky, Barry Moore, Mike Kinnick and Brad Braden.

Forty Years Ago This Week – 1978Pfc. Kevin P. Murray, son of Mr. and Mrs. Earl C. Murray and a 1976 graduate of Manual, was a tank driver with the 33rd Armor in Kirch Gons, Germany.* * *Newly elected officers of the Indiana Central University Business Association were Bill D. Sandall, John D. Gauld, Harry A. “Jack” Tilson Jr., Eugene Lausch and Charles E. Cummings.* * *The Child Guidance Clinic of Marion County opened the Adult and Child Mental Health Center at 5142 Madison Ave. * * *Suzanne Koester, the 10-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Koester, was the winner of the Miss Marion County majorette contest.

Thirty Years Ago This Week – 1988Keith R. Huehls, son of Mr. and Mrs. Mark R. Huehls and a junior at Franklin Central, achieved the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest honor bestowed by the Boy Scouts of America. * * *Homecroft Elementary School second-graders Briana Christy, John Bird, Nicki Kenimond, Angela Cleary, Mariann Angrick, Jeremy Salmons and Lanna Littrell were corresponding with U.S. servicemen in Antarctica.* * *David E. Kinsey, Tony Wilson and Gracie Keller from Perry Meridian High School, Melissa F. Thompson from Southport and Michelle Bryant from Roncalli were finalists in the Prelude Awards competition. More than $10,000 in scholarships were awarded through the cultural and performing arts program.* * *Manual High School’s Athletic Department was planning its annual auction and chili dinner. In just two years the event had raised more than $12,000.* * *Nearly 200 members of the Carson-Heights Neighborhood were opposed to plans to develop the former University Heights Hospital into a psychiatric evaluation center.

Twenty Years Ago This Week – 1998Army Spec. Richard D. Self, a 1995 graduate of Franklin Central High School, was part of a U.N. team aimed at preserving the peace and stability of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. * * *A candlelight vigil in memory of Barbara Wagner, Marilyn Beckwith and all other victims of domestic violence, was going to be held on the steps of the Statehouse.* * *The following quip was published: “Statistics are like bikinis – they show a lot ... but not everything.”* * *Lauren Ash, daughter of Rick and Laura Ash and a sixth-grader at Indianapolis Public School 72, was signed by Kristie of Chicago Modeling & Talent Agency.* * *Edgewood Feed & Seed, 5518 Shelby St., was holding its annual midwinter sale on birdseed.* * *Southport Elementary School’s Spell Bowl team won the Perry Township title and placed 12th in the state competition. The squad featured Olivia Knight, Kristina Tyron, Sara Shumate, Kevin Mauser, Kim Guyer, Alicia Doerr, Erin Westfall, Brandon and Jeramie Carroll, Ashley Waldrup, proctor Melody Carroll and coach Sue MeGee.

B. Scott Mohr

is the Southsider Voice associate editor. He is a graduate of Perry Meridian High School and Indiana University, where he majored in journalism and political science and wrote for the Indiana Daily Student.